

The Re: Conference, Navigating the Age of Uncertainty
Civic Hall is proud to partner with Hudson Ferris, a leading nonprofit consulting and fundraising firm, to present an immersive, full-day conference designed to help mission-driven organizations thrive in today’s rapidly changing environment.
Reinvigorate. Recommit. Reshape.
In an era defined by shifting government policies, economic uncertainty, and evolving donor expectations, nonprofit and social impact leaders are being challenged to rethink how they operate and deliver on their missions. This gathering offers a space to pause, learn, and reimagine what’s possible.
Who Should Attend
This event is ideal for:
Executive directors and nonprofit leaders seeking strategies to stabilize and grow their organizations.
Development and fundraising professionals looking to strengthen donor relationships and diversify revenue streams.
Program directors and social entrepreneurs interested in innovative approaches to service delivery and community impact.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and purpose-driven business leaders eager to forge meaningful partnerships with the nonprofit sector.
Board members and advisors committed to effective governance and organizational sustainability.
What to Expect
Attendees will take part in a dynamic mix of expert-led panels, interactive workshops, and peer exchange sessions covering key themes such as:
Financial resilience and strategic budgeting in uncertain times.
Innovative fundraising models and storytelling that inspire action.
Strengthening organizational culture and leadership capacity.
Leveraging technology and data to amplify mission impact.
Communicating your mission with authenticity and clarity.
The day will conclude with a networking reception where participants can connect, collaborate, and spark enduring partnerships that advance shared goals for social good.
Session descriptions and panelist lineup will be shared soon. Stay tuned for an exciting roster of thought leaders, practitioners, and change makers shaping the future of the nonprofit and social impact sectors.
Run of Program
8:30 AM — Doors Open · Continental Breakfast / Networking
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (1 hour panel)
Opening Plenary — “Re:Start: Leadership at the Edge of Change”
Moderator: Ed Leibman, CEO, Hudson Ferris
Panelists (4): Liam Elkind (Invisible Hands & Candidate for Congress NY-12); Jacques-Phillipe Piverger (GoodLight Capital); Jill Johnson (Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership); Julie Shapiro (Citizens NYC), Kristin Kearns Jordan (The Jordan Family Foundation)
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM — Coffee & Networking
10:30 AM – 11:45 PM - Morning Sessions — Three Tracks
Finance & Legal Track — “The Economics of Resilience”
Guests: Steve Cohen or J.J. Harwayne
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Fundraising Track — “Funding Futures”
Guests: Zack Travers and HF Staff
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Programming & Comms Track — “Innovation Under Constraint”
Guests: Lance Gould and HF Staff
11:45 PM – 1:00 PM — Working Lunch · Affinity Group Conversations
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (1 hour panel)
Mid-Day Plenary — “Re:Model: What Does the Future Hold?”
Moderator: Lance Gould (Brooklyn Story Lab)
Panelists (4): Tom Spencer (Advocacy AI); Deirdre White (Pyxera Global); Will Schrepferman (DonorAtlas); Sage Lenier (Futureline
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM — Coffee & Networking
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM (1 hour and 15 minute sessions)
Afternoon Sessions — Three Tracks
Finance & Legal Track — “Power, Policy & Partnership”
Guests: Steve Cohen or J.J. Harwayne
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Fundraising Track — “Storytelling, Digital Strategy & Donor Engagement”
Guests: Zack Travers, Will Schrepferman, and Boris Kievsky
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Programming & Comms Track — “Advocacy, Crisis & Credibility”
Guests: Lance Gould and Toi Eshun
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM - Networking Break
4:00-5:00 (1 hour panel)
Closing Plenary — “Re:New: From Insight to Action”
Moderator: Boris Kievsky, Dot Org Strategy
Panelists (4): Erica Ford (Peace is a Lifestyle); Faizan Younus (NCheng Accounting); Xaira Ferrara (Acumen); Jessie Clyde, Owen Consulting Inc.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM — Networking Happy Hour & Reception
Seats Are Limited — Register Now
Space for this event is limited to ensure a highly interactive and valuable experience for all participants. Reserve your spot today to be part of this powerful day of learning and connection.
About Civic Hall
Civic Hall’s mission is to foster innovation, education, and collaboration in New York City’s tech economy with a commitment to expanding opportunities for all. Located in the heart of the NYC tech community at Union Square, Civic Hall is a new, 85,000-square-foot learning and training center at the new state-of-the-art Zero Irving building.
In addition to serving as the nucleus for entrepreneurial and educational innovation, Civic Hall will facilitate groundbreaking partnerships among high-impact tenants and tech training partners to work collectively to meet the needs of all New Yorkers, especially those from communities too often left behind.
About Hudson Ferris
Hudson Ferris, a boutique fundraising consulting firm in New York City, has helped hundreds of nonprofits enhance their fundraising strategy. We design customized fundraising strategies to help nonprofits strengthen donor relationships, increase funding, and achieve long-term sustainability.